Sun Songs
Sun Songs at Fed Square is a celebration of place and time, capturing the essence of the city’s energy and rhythm through sound.
These works have been developed to create a sonic ritualized time and space for us to pause, listen, and be fully present in the moment, inviting reflection and introspection.
About the work
This newly commissioned artwork, created by sonic artists David Franzke and Geoffrey Nees with lighting design by Ben Cobham (Blue Bottle), offers a unique auditory experience that transforms the space.
This evolving series of pieces forms an ongoing sonic ritual, bringing attention to the subtle interplay between sound, architecture, and environment. Beginning with the Square’s conceptual and architectural foundation, the soundscape reflects and enhances the aesthetics of the surrounding buildings, voicing the futurism and optimism inherent in the structures’ aspirations. It connects these elements to an uplifting and rejuvenating shared emotional experience.
While the thoughtful use of sound in public spaces has a long and rich history, it is often overlooked and underestimated by contemporary designers. This work reintroduces the power of sonic ritual to the cultural and civic heart of Melbourne, reminding us of the profound impact sound can have on our communal spaces.
The creative team
Geoff Nees is a Melbourne-based artist and curator with over 20 years of professional practice. Geoff has established a cross-disciplinary approach to his work, with an emphasis on collaboration, exploring the intersection between art, design, music and architecture. Geoff has worked with many leading Australian and international architects and designers. He has delivered large-scale facade designs, sculptures, screens and temporary architectural projects for major property developments, arts festivals, hotels and private clients, including the façade for the Australia Pavilion at the Japan World Expo 2005. Geoff’s collaborative project “Botanical Pavilion” with Japanese architect Kengo Kuma was recently featured as part of the NGV’s 2020 Triennial.
J David Franze is a composer and sound designer who lives and works in Melbourne. His work spans film, theatre and visual art installations as well as the production of numerous albums, both as solo works and in collaboration with other composers and sound artists. He has worked with many of Australia’s pre-eminent theatre directors, visual artists and composers and has collaborated with Cologne-based composer Bernd Friedmann since 1996 on various album projects.